Grammy award winning artiste, Angélique Kidjo linked up with Nigerian Afropop singer Yemi Alade to deliver this politically charged song titled “Dignity.” The song draws inspiration from Nigeria’s youth movement, #EndSARS, which has been protesting police brutality perpetuated by the nation’s Special Anti-Robbery Squad.
In bringing this colourful song to life, Yemi Alade brought in her first-hand perspective as an activist directly involved with the #EndSARS protests. The song with its lush textures and kinetic rhythms, brings about nostalgic feelings that reminds us of the 2019 collaboration between Yemi Alade and Angélique Kidjo on a song called “Shekere” from Yemi Alade’s acclaimed album Woman of Steel.
“Dignity” was produced by Vtek da Awesom and as the name suggests, it calls for the dignified treatment of Black people. According to Angélique Kidjo in a press release statement for the music video of the song:
“Many people think that police brutality only happens in America, but it’s everywhere. This song is against brutality, but it’s also about how we need to treat each other with dignity, treat nature with dignity, and treat ourselves with dignity. Because if we can’t see the dignity that Mother Nature gave to all of us, then how can we walk tall?”
Watch the video below!